Congratulations on your pregnancy! This is a wonderful time of change; it is also a time to start making some big decisions, such as where to have your baby. Although many women give birth in hospitals, an increasing number of women are choosing an alternative birthing experience, and elect to give birth at a birthing center or in their own home. The services of midwives and doulas are experiencing increasing popularity over the services of an OB in creating a memorable, empowering, and personalized birth experience. Pros and cons exist for each choice, and should be considered in accordance to the type of birth and postpartum experience you desire for yourself and your baby.

Most natural mamas and mamas-to-be already keep a close eye on what foods and drinks they’re consuming. You know the drill; the one that includes scanning ingredient lists and staying clear of the inner aisles of the supermarket. But have you thought about the products you put on your body, not just in it?

That old adage “You are what you eat” may not literally be true, but it does have merit. If some foods can strengthen the immune system, other foods can strengthen the body’s reproductive system. A diet rich in certain foods helps the body funtion at optimum levels and an unstressed, healthy body is much more likely to conceive than a stressed, unhealthy body. Here are six great foods to enhance your fertility.

Osteopathy is an alternative approach to medicine that takes a holistic approach to a patient care. Osteopaths believe that including an individual’s emotional and mental health is key to solving physical ailments. Many expectant women find this approach extremely beneficial as they experience both physical and emotional changes throughout pregnancy, childbirth and during recovery.

Family practice doctors provide treatment for every family member, regardless of gender and age. They are general medical practitioners, and will refer patients to specialists for health issues beyond their expertise. Some family practice physicians may also monitor women through all stages of her pregnancy, assist during childbirth and provide postnatal care.

In 1999, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative which recognized that breastfeeding can be a challenging experience, especially for new mothers. These organizations established ten guidelines for hospitals to meet in order to earn a Baby-Friendly certification. Below is the list of these ten guidelines.

Congratulations! You've decided to hire a midwife for your low-risk pregnancy. Maybe you've even decided to give birth outside the hospital in order to ensure minimum medical intervention. Now the question that is probably on your mind is, "How do I find a good midwife?"

When I was pregnant, there was never a good day to go to the doctor. And by good day, I mean a day when a doctor's visit would not interfere with a meeting, a project or a deadline. Even when I thought I had picked the perfect appointment slot, there was always something that came up and I was either forced to reschedule or put up with annoyed looks around the office.